FCTA vows to curb snakebite deaths after tragic loss of Ifunanya, releases emergency numbers

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed profound grief over the death of Ifunanya Nwangene from neurotoxic complications following a snakebite, pledging robust measures to end such preventable tragedies.

Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, shared her condolences in a statement, saying, “The loss of a promising young life is deeply painful and distressing. I share in the family’s grief and reaffirm that such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously, with strengthened measures to prevent recurrence.”

Highlighting snakebites as a public health emergency in Nigeria—driven by venomous species like cobras, vipers, and puff adder Fasawe urged FCT residents to adopt prevention strategies. These include wearing protective clothing in farms or tall grass, using flashlights at night, clearing debris around homes, sealing entry points, and never handling snakes.

For bites, she advised staying calm, immobilising the limb below heart level, cleaning the wound gently, and rushing to a hospital—while avoiding harmful practices like cutting, sucking, tourniquets, ice, or herbal remedies. “All snakebites must be treated as venomous until proven otherwise,” Fasawe stressed.

The FCTA assured availability of polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms across its hospitals, stocked based on veterinary input and managed centrally for quality. She added that prompt treatment is vital, though neurotoxic cases like Nwangene’s underscore the need for rapid evacuation.

Fasawe said enhanced road networks and 12 newly deployed ambulances aim to cut response times, with hospitals offering ICU care, monitoring, and transfusions.
She warned that all facilities must follow protocols, with sanctions for negligence and advises residents to call the FCT Emergency Medical System at 090157892931 or 090157892932.

She assured that the FCT administration remains committed to safeguarding lives through better emergency systems and standards.